Downloading Apps

Introduction to the Play Store

By now, you're probably familiar with the apps that came with your device. What if you're interested in downloading some more? That's where the Play Store comes in (also known as Google Play). The Play Store gives you access to thousands of apps, services, and other media—everything from games like Angry Birds to tools that can help you with everyday tasks.

Many of the apps in the Play Store can be downloaded for free. Others cost as little as $0.99, although some may be more expensive. To purchase apps from the Play Store, you'll need to have some form of payment on file with your Google account, such as PayPal or a credit card. If you don't have this set up yet, that's OK—the app will walk you through it.

Finding and installing apps

The Play Store comes pre-installed on every Android device. To get started, open the app. You can use the search feature to search for something specific, such as the name of an app, the company that makes it, or something descriptive (like "photo editor"). You also can tap Apps to browse the apps section of the store.

To download or learn more about an app, tap the one you're interested in. You'll be taken to the product page, where you can check out reviews, screenshots, and a description of the app. To download the app, tap the install button (it will say "install" if the app is free or will tell you the purchase price), then follow the rest of the instructions.

To return to the Play Store homepage, open the menu in the upper-left corner, then choose Store home. You can also use this menu to view your current apps, account settings, and more.

App safety

Many apps in the Play Store are perfectly legitimate; however, there will always be a few exceptions. For example, some apps may compromise your privacy by sharing your personal information with advertisers. Others may even contain malware, which can affect the operation of your device.

The best way to protect yourself is to stick to apps and brands you trust. You should also think critically about the app's reputation before downloading it, and review the app's permissions—especially if you're unfamiliar with the developer.

• Reputation: Every app has a reputation of some kind. You can get a better idea of what it is by checking the user reviews and other details on the product page. For example, do you see a lot of negative comments? Does the app have fewer than 100 downloads? This is a pretty good indication that the app may be unreliable (or may even be unsafe or a scam). Use your judgement, and don't download anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  
• Permissions: Apps need permission to access certain information on your device in order to work properly. Sometimes this information is completely necessary, and sometimes it isn't—it just depends on the context. For example, if you're downloading a simple flashlight app and it requests access to your phone, contacts, and location, you might want to reconsider. The app's reputation can also help you make smart decisions about permissions.
  
  
  

Uninstalling apps

Uninstalling an app only takes a few minutes. There are two ways to do it. First, if you're viewing the app in the Play Store, all you have to do is tap Uninstall—the app will be removed from your device immediately.

If you're outside the Play Store, open your device's settings, then go to Apps or Application Manager (this may vary depending on your device). From there, select the app you want, and tap Uninstall.

If you change your mind later, you can always reinstall any apps you've uninstalled. Just go back to the Play Store and follow the usual steps. If you paid for the app, you won't have to pay for it again.

Doing more with the Play Store

The truth is, apps are just the beginning when it comes to the Play Store—there are many other things you can download, including movies, TV shows, books, and music. Unlike apps, these purchases aren't just for your mobile device; they can also be viewed on your computer. 

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Getting Started

First steps

Getting to know a new mobile device can be pretty exciting, especially if this is your first smartphone or tablet. The key is to start with the basics and take it one step at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.

First, make sure you're comfortable with the interface, including the screen, some of the built-in apps, and the various gestures you'll use to get around. Then you can move on to some other fundamental tasks, like connecting to the Internet using Wi-Fi.

Google account

The first time you turn on your device, you'll be asked to set up a few different things, including your preferred language, the date and time, and (most importantly) your Google account. If you don't have a Google account yet, you can create one during the setup process.

There are a few reasons this step is so important. In short, your Google account is your identity on your device. Not only does it connect you to the cloud—where things like photos and contacts are stored—but it also gives you access to the Play Store, where you can download and purchase apps. The more you use your device, the more you'll see how integrated your Google account really is.

You may have a Google account already if you use any other Google services, like Gmail, Chrome, Google Drive, or even YouTube. For more information, check out our Google Account tutorial.

Getting to know your device

Once your device is set up, you should be taken to a simple screen with some icons, buttons, and other miscellaneous features. This is actually one of the most important parts of your device—it's called the Home screen—and it's where you'll store all your favorite apps.

Remember, every Android device is unique. This means your experience may vary depending on your phone or tablet. Luckily, you can still learn a lot by comparing your device to ours.

Click the buttons in the interactive to learn more about the interface, including the Home screen and other features.

Basic apps

Ready to get started with some everyday tasks, like email and text messaging? We'll discuss these things in detail over the next few lessons, but in the meantime you can check your device for these basic built-in apps. They may go by slightly different names depending on your phone or tablet, but the icons will usually give you some clue.

• Phone for making phone calls
• Messaging for text messaging, or Hangouts for text messaging plus Google chat
• Email for managing your email, or Gmail if you have a Gmail account
• People for your contacts list (may also be called Contacts)
• Chrome for browsing the Web (may also be called Internet or Browser)
• Camera for taking photos and videos
• Play Store for downloading apps
• Settings for adjusting your settings

Some of these apps may be on your Home screen already. If they aren't, take a look in your Apps view. This special view gives you access to every app on your device. To open it, look for the icon near the bottom of the Homescreen.

Basic gestures

Gestures are what you'll use to interact with your device's touchscreen. For instance, instead of clicking something with your mouse, you'll tap the screen with your finger. We'll refer to gestures throughout this tutorial, so make sure you're familiar with the examples below.

• Tap to "click", select, or open something on your device, like a button or an app
• Tap and hold to occasionally access other options (think of this as "right-clicking")
• Drag to scroll up and down, left and right, or any other direction on the screen
• Swipe left or right to "flip through" things, like pages on the Home screen, photos, or pages in an e-book
• Double-tap to zoom in or out in certain apps, like Maps or Chrome
• Pinch (i.e., open or close your thumb and forefinger) to zoom in or out almost anywhere

Accessing the Internet

Your device can connect to the Internet almost anywhere, either though mobile data (3G/4G or LTE) or nearby Wi-Fi. So what exactly is the difference? Most data plans only give you a certain amount of data per month, and there can be repercussions if you go over your limit. With Wi-Fi, you can use the Internet as much as you want, and it won't count against your data.

To connect to Wi-Fi (optional):

Do you have access to a nearby Wi-Fi network (for example, at home or at work)? You can easily connect to it using the steps below. For networks that you access repeatedly, you generally only have to do this once. The next time you're in range, you'll be connected to the network automatically, as long as you leave the Wi-Fi feature turned on.

1. Make sure you're on the Home screen, then open the Apps view. Your icon may look different from ours, but it's usually found in the Favorites tray near the bottom of the screen.
   
2. Tap the Settings icon. You may need to swipe through a few screens to find it.
   
   
   
3. Scroll through the list of settings until you find the Wi-Fi feature. If it isn't already set to ON, tap the control on the right.
4. When you're done, tap the word Wi-Fi. This will open a list of nearby networks.
   
5. To join a network, just tap the one you want. If the network is secured, you'll need to enter a password to connect to it.
   
6. When you're done, your device will remember the details of the network (including the password if applicable), so you can connect to it automatically in the future. If you ever want to change these settings, tap and hold the network name, then choose Forget or Modify.
   

If the network you're connecting to is unsecured, you can access it without a password, but you should think carefully before you do (especially if it's a public hotspot, like Wi-Fi at your local coffee shop). Anything you view or share over an unsecured network is not necessarily safe from prying eyes.

Keyboard tips

By now, you've probably already encountered the keyboard on your device. It's designed to pop up automatically whenever you need to type something; for example, when you're composing an email, searching the Web, or filling out a form.

This keyboard may be smaller than a traditional keyboard, but it comes with several convenient shortcuts to make typing easier. Take the example below. Things like symbols, numbers, and capital letters are actually easy to access—you just have to know where to look.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about using your device's keyboard.

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Videos

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Samsung Galaxy Note 8:

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FAQ's - Android

Android: Frequently asked questions

Android is an operating system for smartphones and tablets which was made by Google. Depending on the age and manufacturer of your device, you may or may not have the most recent version. Below are some tips to help you understand the differences.

What is the most recent version of Android?

The most recent version of Android is 7.0 "Nougat", which was released in August 2016. 

How can I tell which version I have?

The steps for checking your version vary depending on your device (sometimes depending on your version, believe it or not!). Below are general instructions that should work for most Android devices:

1. Open your device's settings.
2. Look for an option that says About Device, About Phone, or something similar.
3. Find your Android version on the list of specifications.

How do I get the most recent version?

The most recent compatible version will be sent to your device automatically whenever there's an update or new release. All you have to do is accept, and your device will take care of the rest. If you have an older phone or tablet, you may not be able to upgrade to the latest version.

What are the differences between versions?

Sometimes the differences are purely cosmetic; sometimes they can affect your device in more important ways. Below are just a few examples of things that might be different from version to version:

• Icons, screen layout, and other visual elements
• New apps or features
• Changes to existing features
• "Hidden" improvements that may boost your device's performance

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